Shooter breaks into rabbi's home while UM students gather for Rosh Hashanah

A gunman broke into a local rabbi’s Southfield residence Wednesday and stole a bag while a group of University of Michigan students gathered for dinner hours after the start of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, UM President Santa Ono said Thursday.

“No one was injured and Southfield Police Department officers are investigating this as a home invasion and crime of opportunity,” Ono wrote in a community statement. “The Department of Public Safety and Security has increased security measures and patrols on campus and surrounding areas. In the meantime, each of us can do our part to show each other the kindness and respect that so many of us need right now.”

Southfield police responded to a reported home invasion around 10:39 p.m. Wednesday, police officials said in a statement.

Investigators believe the suspect, a black man in his late teens or early 20s, entered the home through the back door with a handgun and said, “I’ll take anything, give me anything,” the news release said. The residents of the home exited through the front door, police said. Officers searched the home, but the suspect was missing.

Police are searching for the male suspect, while a woman involved in the incident has been arrested, officials said.

“The preliminary investigation indicates this was a crime of opportunity,” Southfield police said in a statement. “However, the investigation is ongoing.”

Sunset on Wednesday marked the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

“This past year has seen countless events locally and globally that have been overwhelming and troubling for many in our community,” Ono wrote. “As tensions have escalated in the Middle East in recent days, it is more important than ever that we work together to provide each other with comfort and security.”

“The university is committed to doing everything in its power to protect and care for our students, faculty, staff and visitors,” Ono wrote. “I also encourage each of you to proactively prioritize your mental health and well-being and take the time to connect with friends and colleagues.”

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact Southfield police at (248) 796-5500 and reference number 24-36003. Those wishing to remain anonymous can also call Tips at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

UM’s Ono has expressed concern about incidents that have occurred on or near the Ann Arbor campus.

In a message to the community on Sept. 27, the president said there had been reports over the weekend of an “attack on a Jewish member of our community” off campus — “a young man who was beaten on the steps of a building.” House was occupied by members of a historic Jewish brotherhood and bottles were later allegedly thrown at the house. Ann Arbor police are investigating the case and motive, Ono said.

There was also a report of “vandalism involving racist language in multiple locations in the East Quad” at UM apartments, he said.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that racism, violence and hatred of any kind are inconsistent with our mission and values and we will not tolerate it,” Ono said in the Sept. 27 statement. “Fortunately, these events are not the norm, although we alone cannot eliminate prejudice and violence.”

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Shooter breaks into rabbi’s home while UM students gather for Rosh Hashanah

ByJasper

By Jasper

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